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Foresters Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sierra Pacific Industries

Forester - District

Westwood, CA · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

This position involves working with California Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) to prepare harvest plans and administer harvest operations. The successful applicant is expected to work out of ...

Sierra Pacific Industries

Forester - District

Sonora, CA · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

This position involves working with California Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) to prepare harvest plans and administer harvest operations. The successful applicant is expected to work out of ...

New

LANDVEST INC

$75K - $200K/yr

LandVest's Land Investments group is supported by foresters, marketing specialists, technology/web/social media professionals, GIS cartographers, biometricians, and other corporate platforms and ...

LANDVEST INC

$75K - $200K/yr

LandVest's Land Investments group is supported by foresters, marketing specialists, technology/web/social media professionals, GIS cartographers, biometricians, and other corporate platforms and ...

Sierra Pacific Industries

Entry-Level Labor

Martell, CA · On-site

$23.53/hr

Our forests are sustainably managed under a 100-year plan by Registered Professional Foresters, Wildlife Biologists, Botanists, and other professionals. We are growing forests for our future ...

Sierra Pacific Industries

Entry-Level Labor

Lincoln, CA · On-site

$23.53/hr

Our forests are sustainably managed under a 100-year plan by Registered Professional Foresters, Wildlife Biologists, Botanists, and other professionals. We are growing forests for our future ...

Sierra Pacific Industries

Sawfiler

Lincoln, CA · On-site

$32.56 - $41.94/hr

Our forests are sustainably managed under a 100-year plan by Registered Professional Foresters, Wildlife Biologists, Botanists, and other professionals. We are growing forests for our future ...

Sierra Pacific Industries

Entry-Level Labor

Burney, CA · On-site

$23.53/hr

Our forests are sustainably managed under a 100-year plan by Registered Professional Foresters, Wildlife Biologists, Botanists, and other professionals. We are growing forests for our future ...

Sierra Pacific Industries

Equipment Operator

Quincy, CA · On-site

$35.43/hr

Our forests are sustainably managed under a 100-year plan by Registered Professional Foresters, Wildlife Biologists, Botanists, and other professionals. We are growing forests for our future ...

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Foresters information

See California salary details

$61.7K

$81K

$102.6K

How much do foresters jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for foresters in California is $81,024.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,000.00 and $83,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Foresters vs Conservation Scientists?

AspectForestersConservation Scientists
CredentialsBachelor's degree in forestry, environmental science, or related fieldBachelor's or master's degree in forestry, environmental science, or related field
Work EnvironmentForests, public and private land management agenciesResearch settings, government agencies, environmental organizations
Industry UsageLand management, timber industry, conservation agenciesEnvironmental protection, land conservation, research

Foresters primarily focus on managing forest resources, timber production, and land use planning, often working directly in forests. Conservation Scientists concentrate on protecting natural resources, conducting research, and advising on conservation policies. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work in related environments, Foresters are more involved in active land management, whereas Conservation Scientists focus on research and policy development.

How much money does a forester make?

Foresters typically earn a median annual salary of around $45,000 to $65,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced foresters or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages, especially in regions with high demand for forest management and conservation expertise.

What kind of work do foresters do?

Foresters manage and protect forests, overseeing activities such as planting, harvesting, and maintaining trees. They conduct fieldwork, assess forest health, develop management plans, and may use tools like GPS and GIS software. Their work often involves outdoor labor and requires knowledge of ecology and conservation practices.

Where do foresters get paid the most?

Foresters tend to earn the highest salaries in regions with extensive forest management needs, such as parts of the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast. Salaries are also higher in areas with a strong forestry industry, advanced forest technology, and higher living costs, often requiring relevant certifications and field experience.

What are popular job titles related to Foresters jobs in California?

For Foresters jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Foresters jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Foresters jobs in California are:

Foresters jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foresters job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,024 per year, or $39 per hour.

Forester - District

Sierra Pacific Industries

Westwood, CA • On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Sierra Pacific Industries rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 58 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 19 rated forestry and logging companies

Job description

We train and promote from within
Excellent low-cost health benefits
Retirement plan with employer-paid contributions
Paid vacation and 10 holidays
At Sierra Pacific Industries , we understand our greatest strength is the people who choose to build a career with us. We are a fourth-generation family-owned company that has grown to be one of the largest lumber and millwork producers in the United States. Our more than 6,000 employees are proud to work at our state-of-the-art sawmills and other facilities, including: manufacturing, custom wood-framed windows, fabrication, millwork, veneer, cogeneration, trucking, forestry, and other operations.
Our more than 2.4 million acres of timberland in the Western United States are sustainably managed by professionals in our Forestry Division. Currently, our Almanor Forestry District has an opening for a qualified District Forester to help manage the Company's timberlands in Lassen and Plumas counties. This position involves working with California Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) to prepare harvest plans and administer harvest operations. The successful applicant is expected to work out of our district office located in Westwood, California .
About the Position
  • Prepare Timber Harvest Plans (THPs), including research, field work, mapping, and writing
  • Administer contracts for field operations including logging, road construction, professional services, and miscellaneous agreements
  • Conduct botanical, wildlife, archeological, road, and watercourse surveys
  • Collaborate with reforestation activities, including planting and site preparation
  • Professionally and effectively interact with the state regulatory agencies and diverse groups
  • Perform forestry-related project work in a wide range of weather and field conditions
  • Hike in remote mountainous regions using maps, compass, and GPS
  • Effectively work both within a team setting as well as independently in remote areas
  • Assist and collaborate in other forestry work on the district as needed

Qualifications
  • A California Registered Professional Forester (RPF) license or the ability to qualify for, take, and pass the RPF exam after qualification through a combination of educational and/or work experience
  • Familiarity with the California Forest Practice Rules and fieldwork involved in Timber Harvest Plan (THP) preparation
  • Understanding of logging, road construction, and reforestation operations
  • Excellent communication skills, self-motivated, and strong work ethic
  • Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and GIS-based software programs
  • Ability to effectively work both independently and as a team member
  • Current valid driver's license and the ability to operate a four-wheel drive vehicle and safely navigate steep forest roads

Why Join Our Team?
Because this is more than an invitation, it's a commitment to offer opportunities for personal and professional growth to everyone! We ask people to grow with us and make the company even better.
We provide an excellent benefit package including a full Health Benefits Plan (including medical, dental, and vision) with low-cost premiums, a 401(k) with Company Match, additional Retirement Contributions , and company-paid Life Insurance.
How to Apply
If you are qualified and would like to join our team,
please send a cover letter referencing this position and a resume to:
Sierra Pacific Industries
Human Resources
PO Box 496011
Redding, CA 96049
(866) 378-8001
or apply online and view all our career opportunities at: spi-ind.com/forestry
Celebrate our 300th million seedling planted with us!
spi-ind.com/OurForests/ThreeHundredMillion
Sierra Pacific is an (EOE) Equal Opportunity Employer, including those with a disability and veterans.
The general wage range for this position at Sierra Pacific Industries is from $70,000 to $110,000 per year, and is dependent upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to: relevant work experience, skill, knowledge, and/or education.
About Our Company
Sierra Pacific Industries is a fourth-generation family-owned company based in Northern California that started in 1949 and has grown to be one of the largest lumber and millwork producers in the U.S., employing around 6,500 crew members. Sierra Pacific continues to be a company where its employees are proud to work at state-of-the-art facilities and others strive to become part of the team.
We own and sustainably manage more than 2.4 million acres of timberland in California, Oregon, and Washington. Our forests are sustainably managed under a 100-year plan by Registered Professional Foresters, Wildlife Biologists, Botanists, and other professionals. We are growing forests for our future, planting over 6 million new trees every year. In Spring 2024, we planted our 300 millionth seedling on our timberlands. This milestone was decades in the making, reflecting our commitment to sustainable forest management and ensuring we have forests not just for today, but for generations to come.
Sierra Pacific effectively uses nearly 100% of every piece of wood we bring to our facilities. In fact, any small amount that isn't turned into hand-crafted doors and windows, millwork, lumber, or landscaping material is actually converted into electricity in our eight biomass-fueled power plants.
We are proud that all Sierra Pacific facilities follow our drug-free and tobacco-free policies. As part of our safety in the workplace policy, an offer of employment is subject to a negative drug screen result. We use E-verify to verify the social security number and work authorization of all newly hired employees. Sierra Pacific is an (EOE) Equal Opportunity Employer, including those with a disability and veterans.

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